"Why do you doubt me, Father?" hissed an irate Goblin King. He paced the smooth marble stones in the grand palace belonging to the man before him.
"Because she is a mortal child from the human's world, my son. She is not yours to take." The King of the Faeries wore an expression of bafflement. "Pray tell, since when did you actually desire to take a child? I have only ever heard you complain about your duties!"
"She is not wanted in the human world," said Jareth, ignoring his father's latter statement. "Her parents have disregarded her, a canine is her only companion, and she wishes to be in my care." Jareth stopped his pacing to stand before his father. His shoulders were tense and his clenched jaw flexed. He craned his chin to regard his father from atop the grand throne in which he was seated.
"No child may be under your care unless it is wished away. That is the contract to which your magic has and always shall be bound so long as you are The Labyrinth's sire."
"She shall wish herself away," Jareth quickly responded. "She already wishes it with all her heart. She must only say the words for it to be true."
There was a lengthy pause. The King of the Faeries quirked a brow.
"That is how I first found her, Father," Jareth pressed, "She created her own stir. This… human child has pure magic within her heart. She is unlike any other of her kind. That is why she is unable to create any lasting bond with other humans. She does not belong in the Human Realm. She belongs with me."
"Is that so?" His father took a moment to consider. Finally, he admitted, "Then I shall admit that perhaps she does belong here, if what you say is the truth. There are precious few humans who still have magic within them. That alienation will only cause her to suffer in the Above world."
"You have my gratitude, Fa-"
"Wait." The King of the Faeries held up a hand to silence his son. "I admit she may belong in this realm, but although she may possess a small fragment of magic she is still a human. How could she deserve to be welcomed to your kingdom as your Princess?"
"She is worthy. She can prove herself," Jareth hastily assured.
His quick response was met with an amused curl of the lips and a cocky tilt of the head.
"Alright. She shall prove her worthiness." His father narrowed his eyes as he regarded his son. "But I shall pick the terms."
"Name anything. She will be triumphant and prove herself." Jareth's tone held no trace of hesitation.
However, when his father named the task, Jareth's conviction wavered.
Not because he didn't think Sarah would be unable to pass the test to be set before her, but because he didn't think he would be able to go through with administering it.
Eventually, he would do what needed to be done.
Only it would take much more time than he had expected. And this would not only be her test, but his as well.
For the rules dictated he would have to become a dream. He must make her forget, and then he must allow her to grow without his hand to help guide her.
He would have to keep his distance, because this was a test she had to pass all on her own.
He only hoped his will was strong as hers.